A MAN who is almost totally blind has promised he will finish the London marathon next month even if it means dragging his sighted guide over the line.

Former armed forces serviceman Karl Parkinson, of Cwmbran, is running the event for two charities with his surgeon and ophthalmic consultant, Dr Andrew Feyi-Waboso.

The pair will be strapped together via their arms for the 26.2 miles as they raise money for Blind Veterans UK and Sight 2020 Direct.

Mr Parkinson, known to his friends as Charlie, said: “I have run two marathons previously and Andrew said he always wanted to do one so we shook on doing it this year, a gentleman’s deal.”

He has previously run the marathon twice before for charity with school friend and former Argus journalist Ben Black, also from Cwmbran, who is helping with the fundraising effort.

Mr Parkinson said he was eager to raise awareness for Sight 2020 Direct.

He also said he was happy to be running alongside Dr Feyi-Waboso.

The 39 year-old added: “He’s operated on me twice so this marathon can be a bit of payback.”

The two met four years ago after Mr Parkinson was referred for Glaucoma through a usual check-up, it was too late to save his left eye and since then he has had several operations to try to stop the same deterioration in his right eye.

Glaucoma can be a hereditary disease and develops when the fluid cannot drain properly and pressure builds up, damaging the optic nerve which connects to the brain.

The runners have been doing some warm-up events for the big occasion and Dr Feyi-Waboso is currently nursing a strained back from his training.

Dr Feyi-Waboso, 55, whose family emigrated from Nigeria during the civil war, added: “It’s very rare that a patient becomes a good friend. It’s about raising as much awareness as we can, so people go and have regular check-ups.

“It is a privilege to run with Karl, he has it tough and I like people with substance, he’s a great guy.”

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